Our Story​​How eight high school sophomores founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit...

Founding in 2012

LEAD (Let’s Empower, Advocate and Do) was founded in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012. In an effort to understand why such tragedies take place and how society can prevent future tragedies from occurring, a group of Leominster High School sophomores set out to plan the 26 Angels Benefit.

After presenting to United Way Youth Venture (UWYV) panel judges and receiving $1000 of seed money, the 26 Angels Benefit became a reality. The event’s mission was to honor the lives of the Sandy Hook tragedy victims, increase mental health and gun violence awareness and raise funds for community organizations. Over 500 people attended the event and $1000 was raised to be given to child-advocacy organizations in the community.

Four Years Later...

LEAD has given back over $10,000 to its community through service programs addressing substance use, domestic violence, poverty, homelessness and mental illness. Members of LEAD have testified at three public hearings on gun violence and mental health legislation at the MA State House. LEAD has won various awards including the Changemaker of the Year Award, the Community Hero Award and the Michael J. Kane Wellness Award for its authoring of a 900-page mental health curriculum, originally known as “Mental Health Promotion”. LEAD founders have taught a variety of teen mental health workshops and have spoken at wellness conferences throughout Massachusetts, focusing on their innovative curriculum.

"Mental Health Promotion" Curriculum Supplement

After discussing the lack of mental health discussion in public schools, L.E.A.D. began developing the curriculum for Mental Health Promotion (MHP), a class that will act as a supplement to the Health Education class required to be taken by students.

In December of 2015, LEAD’s mental wellness curriculum was featured on Boston’s ABC-TV news affiliate. After partnering with state Senator Jen Flanagan, LEAD proposed Bill S.2114 ensuring all 700 high schools in Massachusetts would incorporate mental health into each health education class. MHP's frameworks are currently being introduced to the MA Legislature through this bill.

Nonprofit Incorporation

In April of 2016, President Kyrah Altman competed in the George Washington University’s New Venture Competition as the only freshman and non-business undergraduate student, winning $32,500 in seed money to incorporate LEAD as a nonprofit corporation in MA. Three months later, Kyrah became credentialed as the youngest Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor in the country for the National Council for Behavioral Health.

LEAD's founders have created chapters at the colleges they attend, as well as recruited members to sustain the community service organization at Leominster High School. They hope to implement their curriculum on a state, and eventually, national level.